North Reading man arrested on warrants after arguing with MBTA cop

A North Reading man was arrested Monday at JFK UMass MBTA station after he apparently pushed his luck with Transit Police.

Sean Burke, 29, was allegedly spotted smoking a cigarette near a "no smoking" sign, and was asked by an officer to put out his cigarette.

According to police, Burke complied then left the station, but returned and asked the officer to let him through the fare gates free of charge.

The officer denied his request, and "as the conversation continued Burke insisted he did not have to pay," according to police.

A background search at the scene revealed there were several outstanding warrants in existence for Burke's arrest issued from Lowell District Court for Receiving Stolen Property, Larceny, Possession of a Class E drug and Woburn District Court for Possession of a Class A drug.

As the officer attempted to place Burke into custody he forcefully pushed the officer and fled out of the station and onto Columbia Road. Several other Transit Police units responded and ultimately located Burke hiding inside Tedeschi's on Dorchester Avenue.

Burke was placed into custody and transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process, and was due in court today.